Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health condition characterised by persistent feelings of fear, worry, and unease. Anxiety can manifest in various ways, including physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms may include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and muscle tension. Cognitive symptoms can involve racing thoughts, excessive worry, and difficulty concentrating. Emotionally, anxiety can cause irritability, restlessness, and a sense of impending doom.¹²³

In the current world, anxiety has become increasingly prevalent due to various factors such as high stress levels, societal pressures, and the fast-paced nature of modern life. It affects people of all ages and can have a significant impact on their overall well-being, relationships, and quality of life. Recognising the importance of addressing anxiety is crucial for promoting mental health and providing appropriate support and resources to those who live with it.

Here are three critical factors that can trigger anxiety:

Stress: Continuous exposure to stressful situations, whether it’s at work, home, or school, can be a significant trigger for anxiety.⁴
Traumatic events: Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic incident, like an accident, can lead to heightened anxiety.⁵
Chemical imbalance: An imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain can also contribute to anxiety, which is why medications are sometimes used in treatment.⁶⁷

How is anxiety different from stress?

While stress is usually tied to a specific situation or challenge and tends to disappear once the situation is resolved, anxiety can persist even when there’s no immediate threat. Stress is generally a reaction to an external cause, like a deadline at work or an argument with a friend, whereas anxiety often lacks a clear or reasonable cause and can be more internal.⁸ Both acute and chronic stress cause an imbalance in the brain circuitry of cognition and decision-making. These are the same circuits that are involved in anxiety, which means stress can contribute to the severity of your experience of anxiety.⁹ There’s a separate handbood entry for stress where you’ll be able to learn more about it.

Anxiety isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition; it can manifest differently in different people. Some may experience physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or gastrointestinal issues, while others may have more cognitive symptoms like persistent worry or intrusive thoughts. Severity can also differ widely, with some individuals able to manage their anxiety with coping techniques, while others may find their daily lives significantly impaired.

Does anxiety play a role in gut health?

Growing evidence documents the bidirectional relationship between anxiety and gut microbes known as the gut-brain connection or gut-brain axis. Research in this field suggests that alterations in the gut microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, may contribute to developing or exacerbating anxiety symptoms.¹⁰¹¹¹² This is believed to occur through various mechanisms, including the production of neurotransmitters and metabolites, regulation of the immune system, and communication between the gut and brain via the vagus nerve. Conversely, anxiety and stress can also impact the gut microbiota composition and function.¹³¹⁴ Additionally, people living with anxiety tend to have lower microbial richness and diversity.¹⁵¹⁶ This might explain why the microbial signature of common gut health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anxiety seem to overlap.¹⁷.

What gut microbes are linked to anxiety?

Lactobacillus: People with anxiety tend to have lower levels of Lactobacillus species living in their gut. Studies have shown that Lactobacillus strains might have a positive effect on mental health by reducing anxiety.¹⁸¹⁹
Bifidobacterium: Some strains of Bifidobacteria have also been researched for their potential benefits in reducing anxiety-like behaviour.²⁰
Faecalibacterium: Lower levels of Faecalibacterium have been associated with anxiety and depression in some studies.²¹

Measuring anxiety

There different tools that scientists and clinicians use to measure anxiety. We have a dedicated handbook entry for the GAD-7, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7, a quick self-administered questionnaire commonly used to measure the severity of generalized anxiety disorder.²² The “7” in GAD-7 refers to the seven questions that make up the survey. Each question asks you how often, over the past two weeks, you’ve experienced specific symptoms related to anxiety, such as feeling nervous, having trouble relaxing or worrying excessively. The options for answering range from “not at all” to “nearly every day.” You can learn more about the GAD-7 here.

Where to find your anxiety score in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test features an anxiety score based on the scientifically validated GAD-7 questionnaire. It’s important to highlight that your anxiety score is not diagnostic. It is provided for educational purposes and translated into a user-friendly 0-to-10 scale to help you understand the relationship between anxiety and your gut microbiome. Your anonymised anxiety score also allows our team of scientists to further the research on the gut-brain connection, helping us establish links between anxiety and different bacteria in your microbial ecosystem. You will find your anxiety scores in the “Mental Wellness” report of the Chuckling Goat Microbiome Test.

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment. Visit the NHS website to find out where to get urgent help for mental health.

Synonyms: Anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder.

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

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Griffin JB JR.. Anxiety. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 202. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK315/
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Munir S, Takov V. Generalized Anxiety Disorder. [Updated 2022 Oct 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441870/
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Anxiety

References

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